Who will Lionel Messi's Argentina face in FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage?

Defending champions to face Austria after 46 years.

Group J consists of four different teams from four different confederations. Defending champions Argentina have been drawn alongside Austria, Algeria and Jordan. It may seem relatively easy to get this draw for Lionel Scaloni’s side, but all three other teams are equally capable enough to cause an upset.

Opponents in the group stage

• From Pot 2: Austria
• From Pot 3: Algeria
• From Pot 4: Jordan

Austria are two-time bronze medalist in the FIFA World Cup, but this happens to be their maiden appearance in the 21st century. Their last appearance came way back in 1998. They boast some of the finest talents, including the likes of David Alaba, Marcel Sabitzer and Marko Arnautovic.

Algeria are known for causing upsets. They defeated West Germany in 1982 in what was supposedly one of the biggest World Cup upsets. In their last appearance in 2014, they took eventual champions Germany to extra time. They will rely upon stars like Riyad Mahrez, Yacine Brahimi and Ismail Bennacer.

This is Jordan’s first-ever World Cup, and Argentina will surely not commit the mistake of undermining an Asian team again after what happened against Saudi Arabia in the last edition. Jordan are an emerging powerhouse, who made it to the AFC Asian Cup finals recently and will be hoping to make their debut a memorable one.

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni & who got them here

Lionel Scaloni took over the reins of the Argentina national football team in 2018. Since then, he helped Argentina win the Copa America twice in 2021 and 2024. His breakthrough moment came when his side defeated France to win the World Cup in the last edition in Qatar.

Players who played a key role in Argentina’s qualification

No wonder Lionel Messi emerged as the highest goalscorer in the FIFA World Cup CONMEBOL Qualifiers. He scored a total of eight goals. The Argentine legend played a significant role in qualification, including a brace against Peru and a hat-trick against Bolivia.

The man whose penalty sealed the World Cup fate emerged as one of the finest players in the qualifier round. Lautaro Martinez scored four goals and was one of the standout performers up front for Lionel Scaloni.

How did Argentina qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026?

Argentina had a brilliant campaign in the CONMEBOL FIFA World Cup Qualifiers after emerging as the table toppers with 38 points. In 18 games, they won 12, drew two, and lost four. They scored 31 goals and conceded merely 10 goals and got the better of Brazil twice.

World Cup history

Argentina are three-time World Champions!

One of the most decorated teams in South America, after Brazil, Argentina, were the runners-up of the inaugural edition of the FIFA World Cup. In 1978, they won the first World Cup in front of their home fans, defeating the Netherlands in Buenos Aires.

In 1986, Diego Maradona’s magic saw Argentina win the World Cup for the second time. Since then, they came agonisingly close to lifting the World Cup twice after making it to the finals in 1990 and 2014. Their 36-year wait ended after Lionel Messi’s Argentina won the World Cup in Qatar in the last edition.

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